The Majors Lady
The Major sat at his usual table on that fateful Friday night. It was the gunfighters seat, at the back of the bistro and out of the way. As he sat at this table with his back to the wall, he could survey the entire eatery and the door at a glance. He looked at his watch and continued to work at the laptop computer in front of him.
He knew she may be late, as her time off work varied a little bit from time to time. It was of little consequence to him as he worked while he sat and waited for her to appear. Each time the door opened, he took mental note of who came or went, and played with a laptop in front of him. Then, the door finally opened, and there she was with her friends from her work.
"Wow, she is gorgeous," he thought as he watched her mingle with her friends, talking and laughing. "But, she's too young and too beautiful interested in an old geezer like me," he lamented. His interest in her had begun the first time they met as did his self denial. It was out in the parking lot of the very bistro where he now sat. Her car had refused to start for her; so, being a gentleman, he tinkered with it and managed to get it running. He neither expected nor accepted anything for his kindness. That ultrabright smile flashing across her face and beaming out of her brown eyes was enough for him. The pair talked for hours and, after that she sought his company whenever she could.
Her eyes had traveled to find his and they met for a moment. He tipped his head and smiled at her. Her smile flashed back conveyed the message that she would soon be there with him. He switched off his cell phone and hurriedly finished his business on the laptop. He didn't want that to be an interruption during their dinner.
Presently, her friends left the Bistro, and she walked to the table where he was sitting. "Good evening, Major!" came her friendly sing song voice calling him by his rank as she approached and slid into the booth seat across from him. "How are things with you this evening?" She stood above him for a moment looking down to admire the chiseled features, cropped salt and pepper hair, and granite chin of the man she had come to know as Major Ed Havoc. "He seems interested, but there are just so many mixed signals," she thought. "I wonder if he could really love me or if he just considers me like a niece," she wondered as she approached.
"Hi Kelly!" he replied as he smiled and looked up at her in his ever affable way. "I'm doing well this evening, thank you! And you?"
"I'm doing great!" she beamed. "I've had a great day and, considering the company, the night is looking good too," she giggled. As she looked, she thought she could detect the hint of a blush coming to the old soldiers weathered face.
"You guys finished up early tonight," he mentioned to redirect the topic of conversation. "It seems your team is starting to gel. That's good to see," stated the Major as he nodded his approval.
She giggled and beamed at his observance. "Thank you very much for noticing, Major! Not much escapes your gaze. Yes, they are really coming together quite nicely," she smiled while getting comfortable in the booth seat across from him. "Productions are becoming smoother. It's really quite satisfying being their team leader."
"Would you like a glass of wine to celebrate?" he inquired as he signaled the waiter to bring menus. The waiter brought a bottle of Chablis to the table, knowing Kellys drinking habits well and poured out two glasses for his guests then bustled off into the busy bistro.
She graciously accepted the gift from him as he handed her a glass and the pair passed the time very pleasantly chatting. She just loved listening to his voice and watching his movements. How animated his hands and eyes became and how the inflections in his bass tones were when he was describing some historical event or other. She noted how he patiently listened to her questions and concerns, always giving her clear answers. "He knows more than all of my other friends put together," she mentally marveled as she rode into battles with him, borne on the sound of his voice.
Dinner was ordered and the repast was enjoyed with more and more wine. After the meal had been eaten, she excused herself from the table for a moment, got up and wobbled somewhat. The Major was on his feet in an instant and prepared to steady her lest she fall. He dared to put his strong hands about her waist to help to steady her. He felt her form beneath her clothes and already knew that he craved more.
"Are you all right?" he asked in a concerned voice as he mentally commanded his hands to release their prize, a command which was bitterly disputed. "I think that maybe some of that wine may have gone to your head."